4 Ways a Solo Trip Could Change Your Life

Do you often find yourself lost or can't seem to figure out who you are or what you stand for?

I'll let you in on a not-so-secret secret. You're not alone. Everyone goes through a phase in life where they just can't seem to "find themselves". I'm not going to lie, I'm constantly looking for myself and I still have a long way to go. Sounds like an intimidating and slow journey, doesn't it? Fret not dear child! I have a simple remedy to speed along this process. You might have already guessed it from the title but let me make it clear for you. I'm talking about a solo trip. It could be a surprise backpacking trip, a spontaneous road trip, or even just a R&R kind of trip. It doesn't matter what genre this fits into, it basically means to take a trip with you and you only. Leave behind your family, friends, enemies, pets, tamagotchis... well you get the gist. A solo trip can change your life. It really can and I'm here to tell you 4 ways a solo trip could change your life!

1) Independence

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"Solitude is independence" - Hermann Hesse

This goes without saying but nevertheless it is a very important point that I cannot miss out. If you are afraid of being alone and always feel the need to rely on others to make your decisions for you, then a solo trip is what you need. Being on your own in a different country teaches you to be emotionally and physically independent.

You will be forced to rely on only yourself for security and you will be forced to open up and interact with others. Whether it is to ask for directions, order food in a different language or even just approach someone at a bar, you will find that you must be independent to survive or just have fun. Independence is a big part of personal growth and it is also about taking ownership of your life. We all have to learn to do that eventually but travelling alone can really force this on you and make you a much more independent individual… and let’s face it, independence is sexy!

2) Self-Reflection

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There are two ways to look at being alone. Loneliness or self-reflection. If you have a fear of being alone, you'll do anything to keep yourself busy with people around you. Being alone can be scary as it opens yourself up to a world of emotions and thoughts that you don't have to face when you're busy socialising. All these emotions that you have been concealing are overflowing now that you're alone and you need some company to distance yourself from your own mind. However, learn to embrace that feeling of being alone and you'll be able to master the art of self-reflection and you'll thank yourself for investing in such a difficult task.

A solo trip forces you to be alone and face all your good and bad emotions and thoughts. Being in a different environment also allows you to view your situation differently, clear your head and broaden your perspectives. You will find that you’ll be able to reflect on yourself and you'll be able to answer questions that have been weighing you down. It is easier to let go of all your inhibitions in a different country and really focus on healing wounds and figuring out your direction in life through self-reflection.

3) Courage

A solo trip must sound like a very intimidating thing to do and the truth is, it is. It is not easy to just book a trip so spontaneously by yourself. Well, not the first time anyway. It is almost like taking that one step onto a tightrope. You will feel terrified at first but your courage will build up slowly and you will find yourself enjoying the remaining journey. It is all about that first step. There are many things in life that will terrify us, but it may lead us to a greater place. The courage to take those steps can only come from you. Your friends or your family can feed your courage and push you to do it when we are younger, but as we grow older, we will have to face a lot of obstacles in life by ourselves. We cannot always expect our loved ones to push us to give us that courage. We must find that courage within ourselves. This is where a solo trip could change your life. Traveling solo is not easy. It is fun, but can get lonely. Not everyone will have the courage to book a flight and just leave with no worries.

That’s why I say that a solo-trip can help you find courage that you never knew you had, and once you find it, you won’t forget that feeling. It will remain with you for the rest of your life.

*Read about other Travel Tips, Guides, and other Experiences here at: PROJECT #GOANYWHR

4) Freedom of Choice

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"Freedom of choice is more to be treasured than any possession earth can give" - David O McKay

Imagine being able to have complete power over choosing the destination, the journey, the food and basically anything you want. You don't have to compromise for your travel buddy who wants to do something else. Whether it's the type of places you want to visit or even the minute details such as the music you decide to listen to together.

However, this is not only about being "selfish" with our decisions but having complete power over the choices you make can help you shape yourself as an individual and train your brain to be more resistant to external influences. It creates a space in your mind where you take ownership of the decisions you make. You can't blame anyone else for anything that does go right or wrong and this is a great life lesson. It's funny how when we are with others we don't seem to take ownership of our own opinions or decisions but instead let others influence us when all people talk about is staying true to yourself. Take a solo trip, whether it be a spontaneous one or a carefully planned one. After all, it is your life and only you can choose how you want to live it. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

All in all, a solo-trip is about self-discovery and personal growth. These 4 factors are really all the reason you will need to book that trip. I mean after all, it is good for you. So, the next time you hear of someone taking a solo trip, don't cringe. Instead be proud of them for getting past their fears and for taking a journey filled with self-development, adventure and a tinge of spontaneity. If you want to be that person, check out Anywhr Surprise Travel for an awesome surprise solo trip that'll keep you excited.

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AUTHOR: SHEEREIN

In her 3rd year at NTU, Sheerein constantly thirsts for adventure and excitement in her travels. She lives for spontaneity and is always letting life take her on a wild, unpredictable trip.